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Of course we'd like to give you the impression that the sun shines
all day all year round in Patong. Actually it does shine most of
the year, however there are some periods from June to November,
when rain showers occur from time to time during the day -particularly
in September and October - the height of monsoon season. This doesn't
cause too much interruption to the tourists who learn that rain
showers rarely last long, and most of the day is spent enjoying
the sun and sand as usual. Most people enjoy the cool refreshing
respite of the rain while it lasts and hunker down in a favourite
restaurant, go for a massage, or relax in their hotel for a nap
or with a book, accumulating some of that much needed energy for
the next foray out to the streets or beach of Patong.
Though the great outdoors is undoubtedly one of Patong's main attractions,
there are lots of indoor activities to be enjoyed, and if the rain
is preventing you from spending time outside, here are some ideas
of alternative activities - rain or shine.
- Indulge yourself in some pampering. Ask the hotel to
arrange a massage - many will provide an in-house service for
you and your partner or family members in the comfort of your
own room. Alternatively, visit one of the local establishments
offering massage services - there are plenty in the vicinity of
Patong - and spend a very relaxing 1-2 hours. Remember there are
many different kinds of massage services available, some more
"interactive" than others, others with a focus on healing and
herbal remedies, and some just straight up no frills massage.
If in doubt, ask! (See Spa/Massage for more information).
 If
massage isn't your thing, pamper yourself in a different way by
visiting one of the many beauty parlours around the town. Indulge
in a manicure and/or pedicure and try some of those funky nail
colourings you never dared to wear at home; have a hair wash,
head massage and blow dry, and try a rinse through colour or have
your hair braided and beaded for the ultimate holiday look. Another
lovely inexpensive luxury is to have a facial - with all the sand
and sun, your skin will appreciate a bit of buff and polish! Men
can enjoy all these services in addition to the luxury of being
shaved in traditional barber style. If you dare, you can also
get a pretty decent haircut for very little money, but it is a
good idea not to go for something too different or radical just
in case! Most major hotels have beauty parlours attached - probably
a little more expensive than outside operators, but often offering
a more sophisticated service.
New in Patong is the PurePenny Aromatheraphy centre where one
can spend a few hours undergoing such luxuries as aromatheraphy
using traditional Thai oils, reflexology, beauty treatments, hair
styling etc. (See Spa and Massage for further details)
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Learn about Thai Cooking. May require some planning
ahead, but worth looking into. Most of the schools here try
to instill an understanding of the different tastes in Thai
food, and how best to recreate those tastes, even when in your
own country, all ingredients are not always at hand. Some are
more hands on than others, but all show how to produce an entire
meal from entre to dessert with simple, easy to follow instructions.
The popularity of Thai food all over the world has many people
interested in learning the art of cooking it in their homes
and are surprised at how simple it really is once you understand
how to put the tastes together.
Any hotel with a Thai restaurant can probably arrange a class or
demonstration for you. As for formal schools, try the following:
- The Hideaway School of Thai Cookery at Kata Beach runs
courses from Monday to Friday, either 9am to 1pm with lunch,
or 2pm to 6pm with dinner. Each day's menu includes a starter,
spicey salad, Thai traditional soup, main course and desert.
Tel: (66-76) 330914.
- Pat's Home, run by Pat Teinthong at her home near Phuket
Town, offers half day cooking classes for authentic Thai cuisine
using a Western style kitchen. Learn to prepare 4 dishes to
accompany rice. Tel/Fax: (66-76) 213 765.
- The Dusit Laguna Resort Hotel offers Thai cookery classes
every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoon from 15.00 to
17.00 hrs. Contact Guest Activities at 324 324 extension 2855
for registration and complete menu details.
- Culinary Workshops at The Boathouse offering 1 and
2 day courses on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 14:00 hrs.
Recipes are Chef Tamanoon's own with the two day, complete course
featuring appetizers and salads on Saturday, and main courses
and dessert on Sunday. Graduates receive recipes, The Boathouse
certificate, The Boathouse apron and classes are followed by
a leisurely lunch where students can taste their own creations.
Tel: (66-76) 330015-7 Fax: (66-76) 330561 E-mail: boathouse@gothailand.com
- Head up to Ocean Plaza Department Store on Soi Bangla and play
some Ten-pin bowling on the top floor.
- Feeling energetic? Visit a gymnasium for a good workout
followed by a sauna or Jacuzzi. Many of the major hotels have
their own fully equipped gyms with scheduled aerobics and fitness
classes, and professionally trained fitness instructors to guide
you through the use of fitness equipment. Non-hotel guests are
usually permitted to use gym facilities and have fixed daily fees
for such casual visitors. If you're planning to use the facilities
regularly, discuss the possibility of a short term membership
of 1 week or 2 weeks. If your hotel doesn't have a gym, try the
following:
Patong Gym - Tel: 341-792
 Novotel
Phuket Resort, Kalim - Tel: 342-777
Holiday
Inn Fitness Centre - Tel: 340-608/9
Sportathlon
at Le Meridien - Tel: 340-480-5
- Visit a tailor shop and be measured up for some new threads!
If you're really prepared in advance you will have brought along
your old favourites from home to be copied - all you have to do
is choose your material and come back a day or 2 later. If not,
you can while away a few hours in the tailor shop deciding on
patterns, materials and being measured from head to toe in order
to get the best fit! Be warned though - don't drag anyone along
who is not prepared to sit for hours while you choose and deliberate
on patterns and materials. (See Shopping section for more information).
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